As summer begins, the pace of life seems to take on a different kind of busyness. This season brings vacations, long weekends, camps, weddings, backyard gatherings, time at the lake or beach, and countless opportunities to make memories with the people we love. Our calendars fill up quickly with travel plans, celebrations, outdoor activities, and opportunities to make the most of the warm summer months.

While these months off school often feel more relaxed than other seasons, it can still be easy to rush from one activity to the next and miss the joy of each day. At least, that is the case for me. I am a producer by nature and tend to run hot most of the time. Lately, however, I have been convicted to remember that each day is a gift. Yesterday is past, and we are not guaranteed tomorrow, so it is critical to focus on today and stay in the moment. Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

Summer provides a unique opportunity to slow down, appreciate God's blessings, and treasure the moments we have been given. The following reflections have helped me focus on the day before me instead of always anticipating what comes next.

1. Live Today Fully Engaged. It is important to stay present where we are. Be engaged, tuned in, and honor those we are in contact with today. It is easy for my mind to wander to my to-do list or what might be coming tomorrow or next week. Our lives are full of distractions―headlines, digital notifications, competing priorities, and endless demands on our time and attention. It can be difficult to slow down, appreciate the little things, and remain fully present with the people God has placed around us. Matthew 6:34 reminds us, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
2. Chase what matters. Some of this accelerated pace occurs when we are easily distracted or become engaged in things that really do not matter. Do I need to fill every weekend on the calendar? Do I need to say "yes" to every invitation or opportunity? Am I creating space for what matters most, or simply moving from one activity to the next? For my wife and me, it is important to have a written purpose statement to guide our family decision-making. This framework helps us determine when to say “yes” or “no” to an opportunity or decision. We have found that this intentional guideline allows us to slow down and stay in the moment. If you don’t have a family purpose statement, I would encourage you to develop one. It can help remind you to focus on what matters most.
3. Place everything in God’s hands. Often, our inability to live in the moment results from worry—often defined as assuming responsibility we were never meant to carry. The antidote for my worry is to cast my anxiety onto the Lord (1 Peter 5:7) and practice Philippians 4:6-7: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“
4. Live with Purpose and Intention. You may have heard the line from C.T. Studd’s poem “One Life” that says, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” As I enter my later years, this sentiment has become more and more real to me, and 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 has taken on new meaning. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” I think this passage has applications to each of us, regardless of our age. It can also help us stay in the moment by being disciplined and purposeful.

Think about heaven and send treasures ahead. If I live in the moment, then I am living with only two days on my calendar―today and Judgment Day. Therefore, I should focus my decision-making on storing up treasures in heaven where moth and rust don’t destroy and thieves don’t break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). Heavenly treasures are not shiny and tangible like earthly treasures. They are abstract and include obeying God, praying for and serving others, witnessing to the truth of God’s Word, and pursuing righteousness.

I hope these thoughts encourage you as you enjoy the summer months. The longer days and slower rhythms can be a gift if we are careful not to rush through them. Treasure the moments God has given you today. Don't spend the summer looking ahead to what comes next. Stay in the moment and only chase what matters.

Wishing you a meaningful and memorable summer.

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